Gene Coulon Beach Still Closed Due To High E. Coli Levels

RENTON, WA — Luckily there are no heat waves in sight because the beach at Gene Coulon Memorial Park was still closed on Monday due to high levels of bacteria in the water.

King County closed the beach on Friday, finding 1,449 colony forming units of E. coli per 100 milliliters of water — the safe range is zero to 1,000 CFU/100ml, according to the county. The county will likely re-test the water on Monday and determine whether to reopen it.

In recent weeks, beaches in Kirkland (Juanita Bay) and Seattle (Magnuson Park) have been closed for high bacteria. In Kirkland, health officials said that the high number of birds gathered at the beach may have contributed to bacteria levels.